This guide describes the equipments required and standard procedures for investigations that should be performed by forensic document examiners for examinations and comparisons involving mechanical checkwriters and their impressions (exclusive of rubber stamp checkwriter impressions or computer generated checkwriter impressions). These procedures, which are grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the field of forensic document examination, will depend upon the nature and sufficiency of the materials available. This guide, however, may not cover all aspects of particularly unusual or uncommon examinations.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

Significance and Use

The procedures outlined here are grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the field of forensic document examination. By following these procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach an opinion concerning whether two or more impressions were created by the same checkwriter, whether a particular checkwriter created the specific impression, or the determination of the make and model of checkwriter that made an impression.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide provides procedures for examinations that should be used by forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and comparisons involving mechanical checkwriters and their impressions (exclusive of rubber stamp checkwriter impressions or computer generated checkwriter impressions).

1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination(s) and comparison(s) are of questioned and known items or of exclusively questioned items.

1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material available for examination.

1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will depend upon the nature and sufficiency of the material available for examination.

1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of particularly unusual or uncommon examinations.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.